Method and apparatus for flexible consumption of media content

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including presenting a playlist of media content generated by a predictive model of preferences of a user of a system based on first prior media consumption associated with a subscription television service and second prior media consumption associated with an internet-based service, receiving a first selection of first media content from the playlist, presenting a menu of viewing devices for viewing the first media content, receiving a second selection of a first companion device for the first media content from the menu of viewing devices, transmitting the first selection and the second selection to a content provider, receiving the first media content from the content provider, and presenting the first media content. The content provider can transmit, to the first companion device, supplementary content, including internet-based content associated with the first media content, for presentation at a display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/502,354 filed Jul. 3, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/921,436 filed Oct. 23, 2015 (now U.S.Pat. No. 10,397,631). All sections of the aforementioned application(s)and/or patent(s) are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for flexibleconsumption of media content.

BACKGROUND

Media content is typically experienced by consumers via devices such ascomputers, televisions, radios, and mobile electronics. Media contentcan be delivered by service providers, who send the content, such astelevision, radio, and video programming, to consumers for enjoyment attheir physical locations. Modern communications networks benefit frominterconnectivity between consumers and various communication devices.As network capabilities expand, these interconnections can provide newopportunities to enhance the ability for consumers to enjoy mediacontent by experiencing a variety of content over multiple devices.Intelligent devices offer means for the enjoyment of content in waysthat anticipate consumer personalization of media content presentation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that can beutilized for providing flexible consumption of media content;

FIGS. 2-7 depict an illustrative embodiments of subsystems forperforming flexible consumption of media content via the systemdescribed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIG. 1 and the subsystems of FIGS. 2-7;

FIGS. 9-10 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services for use by the flexible media consumption systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1 and 9-10;

FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device;and

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for providing flexible consumption of media content. Anaggregation of media content can be provided to a device, such as atelevision or a mobile communication device. The aggregation can be inthe form of a playlist of media content, where the items can be selectedand the playlist can be ordered based on information about a user of thedevice, such as consumption history or user-supplied preferences. Theplaylist can include media content that requires a subscription and/ormedia content that is available without subscription. The device canautomatically play through the media content items using an order thatis preselected by the playlist, or it can respond to user selections ofparticular items. The playlist can allow the user to determine where themedia content is consumed. The device can present the media content atits local display, or it can cause the media content to be presented atanother device. If the presentation is handed off to another device,then the original device can act as a companion device, where it canpresent additional content and/or information that is relevant to themedia content that is currently being consumed. Other embodiments aredescribed in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure includes a device that caninclude a memory to store executable instructions and a processorcoupled to the memory. The processor, responsive to executing theexecutable instructions, can perform operations for receiving from acontent providing network, a playlist of media content and, in turn,presenting the playlist at a display. The playlist of media content canbe an aggregation of subscription-based media content andnon-subscription-based media content and can be generated based onpreferences of a user of the device, first prior media consumption thatis associated with a subscription television service, and second priormedia consumption that is associated with an internet-based service. Theprocessor can also perform operations for receiving a first selection offirst media content from the playlist and presenting, at the display, amenu of viewing devices for viewing the first media content responsiveto the receiving of the first selection. The processor can furtherperform operations for receiving a second selection of a first viewingdevice for the first media content from the menu of the viewing devicesand, in turn, transmitting the first selection and the second selectionto the content providing network responsive to the receiving of thesecond selection. The content providing network can cause presentationof the first media content at the first viewing device. The processorcan perform operations for receiving supplementary content from thecontent providing network responsive to the transmitting of the firstselection and the second selection, and presenting the supplementarycontent at the display. The supplementary content can includeinternet-based content that is associated with the first media content.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage medium, including executable instructions that, when executed bya processor, can facilitate performance of operations, includingtransmitting a playlist of media content to a first device. The playlistof media content can be generated by a predictive model of preferencesof a user of the device based on first prior media consumption that isassociated with a subscription television service and second prior mediaconsumption that is associated with an internet-based service. Theoperations can also include receiving, from the device, a firstselection of first media content that is selected at the device from theplaylist, and receiving a second selection of a viewing device that isselected at the device from a menu of devices that are authorized forpresenting the first media content. The operations can further includetransmitting the first media content to the viewing device responsive tothe receiving of the first selection and the second selection and, inturn, transmitting supplementary content to the first device responsiveto the receiving of the first selection and the second selection. Theviewing device can present the first media content. The supplementarycontent can include internet-based content that is associated with thefirst media content and can be presented at the first device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method,including presenting, by a system comprising a processor, a playlist ofmedia content that is generated by a predictive model of preferences ofa user of the system based on first prior media consumption that isassociated with a subscription television service and second prior mediaconsumption that is associated with an internet-based service. Themethod can also include receiving, by the system, a first selection offirst media content from the playlist and presenting, by the system, amenu of viewing devices for viewing the first media content responsiveto the receiving of the first selection. The method can further includereceiving, by the system, a second selection of a first companion devicefor the first media content from the menu of viewing devices and, inturn, transmitting, by the system, the first selection and the secondselection to a content provider responsive to the receiving of thesecond selection. The method can include receiving, by the system, thefirst media content from the content provider; and, in turn, presenting,by the system, the first media content. The content provider cantransmit supplementary content to the first companion device. Thesupplementary content can include internet-based content that isassociated with the first media content, and the first companion devicecan present the supplementary content at a display.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that can beutilized for providing flexible consumption of media content. In oneembodiment, the system 100 can incorporate a subscription contentservice. For example, the subscription content service can be part of acable, satellite, fiber optic, and/or DSL based media content deliverysystem. The media content can be any type of viewable content, such asbroadcast television, cable or premium television, video on demand, orpay-per-per view television. The media content can besubscription-based, such as basic cable, premium cable, or movie channelcontent. The media content can be non-subscription-based, such as “free”Internet-based content of over-the-air television content. In oneembodiment, the system 100 can include one or more media servers 130that can receive media content from one or more media content sources160. Media servers 130 can provide media content to one or more deliverynetworks 150, 155, and 165. For example, a media server 130 can delivermedia content services via an internet protocol television (IPTV)network 150, an internet protocol multimedia subsystem network 155,and/or an internet protocol network.

In one embodiment, media content can be routed to the IPTV network 150,which, in turn can deliver media content to a gateway device 104 b. Inturn, the gateway device 104A can route media content to a mediaprocessor device 106, such as a set-top box. In another embodiment, themedia server 130 can deliver media content by the IMS network 155 to amobility network 117. The mobility network 117 can route media contentto a mobile communication device 116B, such as a wireless smart phone,via a cellular, long term evolution (LTE), third generation (3G), and/orfourth generation (4G) wireless networks. In one embodiment, the mobilecommunication device 116B can route media content that is received overthe mobility network 117 by, for example, a mobile hotspot Wi-Fi linkbetween the mobile communication device 116B and a wirelesscommunication device 116 a, such as a pad device 116A. In anotherembodiment, the media server 130 can deliver media content over a publicIP network 165. In turn, the IP network 165 can deliver media contentthrough a gateway device 104B to wireless communication devices 116A and116C, such as a pad device 116A and wireless laptop device 116C, andmobile communication device 116B. Devices 116A, 122, 124, and 125 thatreceive media content from the IP network 165 can, in turn, transmit themedia content to the media device 108 via direct connection, such as aUSB port, or via a wireless connection, such as Wi-Fi.

The system 100 can further include authentication functions to insurethat media content is distributed only to verified subscribers of thesystem 100 (or media content sources accessed by the system 100)according to service plan levels of those subscribers. For example, thesystem 100 can verify that media processor device 106 is be properlyidentified and validated for receiving media content over the system100. For example, an authentication server can be used to verify thesubscription status of the media processor device 106. Deviceidentifying information, such as MAC address, IP address, and/or SIMcard information, can be transmitted to the authentication server. Theauthentication server can use this identifying information from themedia processor device 106 to inquire at a subscriber database ofservice plan information for a subscriber who is associated with thedevice 106. The subscriber database can provide subscription status andservice plan information to allow the authentication server to enabledelivery of purchased media content to the media processor device 106.In one or more embodiments, the media content can be selected based on anumber of techniques and criteria, such as based on user input, userpreferences, user profiles, monitored user viewing history, and soforth.

In one embodiment, the gateway device 104A can function as an interfacebetween the IPTV network 155 and the media processor device 106. In oneembodiment, the gateway device 104 can provide internet workingfunctions, such as protocol translation, impedance matching, data rateconversion, and/or fault isolation necessary for exchanging data betweenthe IPTV network 150 and the home-based media processor device 106.

In one embodiment, a public IP network 165 of the system 100 canfacilitate communications to Internet-based applications, websites, anddatabases, such as Social Media sites 162 and Web Databases 163, asshown. This connectivity can allow devices 116A-C and servers 130 in thesystem 100 to access and be accessed by the various Internet-basedapplications, websites, and/or databases.

In one or more embodiments, a user of the system 100 can access mediacontent from the system in very flexible ways. In one embodiment, anaggregation of media content can be provided to any of the wirelesscommunication devices 116A-C of the user via an application running atthe device. For example, a pad device 116A can have an installedapplication for receiving an aggregation of media content in the form ofa playlist. In one embodiment, the aggregation of media content can beprovided to an application and/or a personal television channel at themedia device 108 via the media processor device 106.

In one or more embodiments, the aggregation or playlist of media contentcan be generated by a media server 130. The playlist can include asingle media content item or a group of items. The media content itemscan be selected by the media server 130 from any of media content source160 available to the media server 130. The media content items can bevideo, audio, text, images, applications, or any combination media thatcan be electronically conveyed and reproduced. The media content can beitems that are “free” for access, such as public domain materials ormaterials that have been made freely accessible or freely linkable overthe Internet. For example, the media content can be in the form a freelyaccessible Internet-based websites or databases that can be aggregatedand transmitted in a playlist via URL links. In another example, themedia content can be videos, audio, text, or other media types that canbe referenced by URL links. In another example, the media content can bein material that is only accessible to those, who are licensed to accessit, such as subscribers to services, such as Internet-based mediastreaming services, cable and/or satellite television services.

In one or more embodiments, the media server 130 can access data that iscollected on a user. For example, the media server 130 can accessdemographic information regarding matters such as a user's age, sex,location, income level, occupation, or the communication devices thatthe user uses to access the application or personal television channel.If the user is a subscriber to a media content service, then the mediaserver 130 can access subscription information to determine planparticulars, which content is available, which content is locked, whichcontent can be made available for an additional fee, and so forth. Ifthe user is a subscriber to one or more services with a serviceprovider, then the media server 130 can have access to a great deal ofinformation about the user. For example, if the user is a subscriber toa cable or satellite television service, then information is availableregarding the user's demographics and the user's viewing history andpreferences. The media server 130 can access information cataloging theprogramming that the user consumes via the media processor 106 and themedia device 108, including programs watched, recorded, selected foron-demand viewing, purchased, and so forth. In another example, the usercan be a subscriber to a telecommunications service provider, such as acellular phone service for a mobile communication device 116B. In thiscase, the user of the mobile communication device 116B may consume mediacontent from the media server over a 3G or 4G data connection. Inanother example, the user can be a subscriber to an Internet serviceprovider. In this case, the user may consume content from the mediaserver 130 via the IP network 165 via wireless connectivity to a gatewaydevice 104B.

In one or more embodiments, the media server 130 can provide mediacontent to any or several different types of devices 116A-C and 108,using any or several different networks 150, 155, and 165. In the mostcomprehensive case, the user can be a subscriber for a combination ofservices, such as Internet service, telecommunications service, andtelevision service. In such a case, one or more media servers 130 canprovide media content to a streaming application at any or several ofthe user's mobile communication devices 116A and B, computing devices116C, and media devices 108. In the least comprehensive case, the usercan be a person, who does not subscribe to any communications servicesof the company that operates the media server 130. For example, the usercan obtain Internet services, telecommunications services, and/ortelevision services from three different companies, where none of theseare affiliated with the company of the media server 130 or where one isaffiliated, while the others are not. In another example, the user canbe a subscriber only to a telecommunications service or only an Internetservice but have no subscription for television services. In each case,the media server 130 can still provide access to media content to one ormore of the user's devices 116A-C and 108 via the streaming application,where the communications pathway and the types of media content that canbe provided by the media server 130 will depend on the user'srelationship to media server 130.

If the user is “full service” customer, who subscribes to Internet,wireless telecommunication, and television services from the companythat operates the media server 130, then the media server 130 canprovide media content any of the user's devices via a streamingapplication at those devices using one or more of the availableservices. For example, a media device 108, such as a television, of the“full service” customer can receive subscription-based media contentfrom the media server 130 via the IPTV network and the media processor(STB) 106. In this case a playlist of aggregated media content can bedelivered on a personal television channel that is received andprocessed at the media processor device 106 with the user directing theprocess using a remote control device 107. The same media device 108 canalso receive a playlist from the media server 130 via the IP network 165and gateway device 104B, if the media device 108 supports wireless IPcommunication. In this case, the playlist of media content can beprovided to the media device 108 via a streaming application executingat the media device 108 in a fashion similar to how a pad device 116Awould receive the playlist. In another example, a mobile communicationdevice 116B of the user can receive the playlist of aggregated mediacontent via the IMS network 155 and a wireless base station 117 thatsupports high speed data. As with the media device 108, the mobilecommunication device 116B could also receive the playlist via the IPnetwork 165.

In one or more embodiments, the level of service, whether the user is a“full service” subscriber, a “particular” service subscriber, or a “no”service subscriber, can determine the possible communications pathwaysfor delivering the playlist of aggregated media content and the breadthand depth of user information available to the media server 130 forformulating the playlist. In the “full service” case, the media server130 can provide the playlist to multiple devices 116A-C and 208 viamultiple pathways and can access demographic and content consumptioninformation that is associated with any and all of the services. Forexample, the media server 130 can know the television viewing history,the Internet access history, and the cellular data access history forthe “full service” user and can use this full range of information toformulate a personalized playlist for the user that takes all of theseusage options into account. If the user is a “particular” service or“no” service subscriber for the company operating the media server 130,then the demographic and historical information for this user may belimited to only the information that is related to streamingapplication. For example, if the user's only connection to the mediaserver 130 is via the streaming application that is downloaded onto theuser's pad device 116A via an Internet service that is paid for by athird party (e.g., a college student accessing wireless service in herdorm room via the college Internet service), then the media server 130can still formulate a playlist for the user, but the information may belimited to user-provided demographics and preferences provided when theuser downloaded and activated the application, the user's subsequenthistory of using the application, and any information that media server130 can glean from Internet sources.

In one or more embodiments, the media server 130 can formulate anddeliver a playlist of aggregated media content to one or more of userdevices 116A-C and 108, via one or more communication paths in thesystem 100. The playlist can include one or more types of media content,including video, audio, text, multimedia, links to web-based content,and so forth. In one embodiment, the playlist can be formulated toprovide media content that has a high likelihood of being consumed bythe user. In the ideal case, the media server 130 is able to user theavailable information on the user's demographics, past mediaconsumptions, social media interaction, and so forth, to generate aplaylist of media content that is so well-selected and ordered that theuser is glad to consume the media content, starting at the first item inthe playlist and ending only when the user decides to break fromconsumption (e.g., to sleep). The goal is to use rich information aboutthe user to generate a playlist of the most appropriate media contentfor the user.

In one or more embodiments, the media server 130 can aggregatesubscription-based content and non-subscription-based content accordingthe various subscriptions of the user. For example, the user cansubscribed to a particular set of media services as part of a paid cableor satellite television service plan. The same user can subscribe to afree website featuring streaming content and a free social network site.The media server 130 can aggregate content from all of these subscribedsources, including the television subscription, where the media server130 possesses the access rights to the content. The user can shareaccess information for subscription services with the media server 130to allow the media server 130 to access and aggregate content from thesesources. In one embodiment, the playlist can be generate a sequence ofmedia content transitioning from subscription services, such as moviebroadcast by a cable television channel, to non-subscription services,such as a video from an Internet site, to free subscription services,such as a news article from an advertiser-based, subscription newsservice. In one or more embodiments, the media server 130 can aggregatecontent from all the various media services to which the user has accessrights. Rather than confining the user's access to a paid subscriptionpremium channel at this television 108, this service is now madeavailable to any device 116B of the user and is effectively presortedand prioritized for the user to be made aware of the content and toconsume it wherever and whenever the user chooses.

In one or more embodiments, the media server 130 can authenticate a userbefore sharing the user's latest playlist the streaming application atthat device 116A. The application can request an authenticating usernameand password or other identifying information from the user and passthis information to the media server 130 for authentication. In one ormore embodiments, the media server 130 can verify the subscriptionrights of the device 116A for presenting particular media content. Inone embodiment, the media server 130 can formulate the playlist suchthat the playlist will only include media content that can be viewed atany device of the user. For example, the user can have subscriptionrights to a particular media content item that is accessible onlythrough the user's mobile communication device 116B. The media server130 can use this information to exclude any media content aggregationfrom this source so that the playlist will not be incompatible withother devices of the user, such as the user's television 108. In anotherembodiment, the media server 130 can generate multiple playlistversions, where each version includes content aggregated from all of thesources for which that device is duly subscribed. Returning to the priorexample, the user's mobile communication device 116B can receive adifferent playlist that the user's television 108 to account for thediffering and incompatible subscription rights.

In one or more embodiments, when a user device 116A receives a playlistof aggregated content from the media server 130, then the playlistapplication can be configured to automatically play through the playlistor to wait for user input. In automatic play mode, the application willplay through the playlist, item by item in order, from beginning untilend. In manual mode, the application will play each item that isselected by the user and then wait for further inputs by the user. Theuser can select items, play, pause, replay, skip, parse, fast forward,and/or rewind.

In one or more embodiments, the application allows the user to selectwhich device will present a media content item from the playlist. Forexample, a pad device 116A of the user can receive a playlist ofaggregated content from the media sever 130 and present this playlist tothe user via the display of the pad device 116A. The user can thenselect a particular media content item from the playlist. The user canthen be given the opportunity to select where the selected media contentitem will be presented. In one embodiment, the user is presented with apull-down menu that lists all of the user's devices which can be used topresent the selected content. In one embodiment, the media server 130can preload the menu with devices that it has determined are capable ofpresenting the content. The media server 130 can determine which deviceshave subscriptions rights to the content (if applicable), which devicesare capable of supporting reproduction of the selected content, and/orwhich devices have communication paths that are capable of supporting,for example, streaming media content. In one example, a user can accessa playlist via a streaming application operating at a pad device 116A.The playlist can include a movie, which has subscription rights based ina satellite television service to which the user has subscribed andwhich extends to selected additional mobile devices of the user. Themovie requires a particular video decoder at the reproducing device anda minimum bandwidth for the streaming data path. During the process ofgenerating the playlist, the media server 130 can determine that thetelevision device 108, the pad device 116A, and the laptop computer 116Cof the user meet all the requirements for presentation of the streamingmovie. However, the mobile communication device 116B fails one of therequirements (e.g., the subscription rights do not extend to cellulardevices). In this case, the media server 130 can preload the pull-downmenu in the playlist such that it will only provide options forselecting the television device 108, the pad device 116A, or the laptopcomputer 116C, while excluding the option of the mobile communicationdevice 116B. In one embodiment, the process of determining the availableoptions for presenting the media content can be performed in real-time,so that the menu is updated based on the most current information. Inone embodiment, the user can select the presentation device beforeselecting the particular media content item that the user wishes toexperience. In this case, the application can filter the playlist sothat only those media content items that can be presented at the choosedevice are made available for selection by the user.

In one or more embodiments, the user can cause the selected mediacontent (or all or part of the entire playlist) to be presented atanother device. For example, the can open the application at the paddevice 116A but select the laptop computer device 116C for presentationof a particular item. In this case, the streaming application can beautomatically and remotely started at the laptop computer device 116C orthe user can manually start the application at the laptop computerdevice 116C. In one embodiment, the laptop computer device 116C can beremotely controlled by the pad device 116A. For example, the pad device116A can connect to the laptop computer device 116C via a short rangecommunication link, such as BlueTooth™, and command the laptop computerdevice 116C to start the application and/or to receive the playlistand/or to receive and present a data stream of the selected mediacontent. In another example, the pad device 116A and the laptop computerdevice 116C can communication via a local area network (LAN), which canbe supported by the gateway device 104B and/or a local router that issupporting WiFi communications at the location. In another example, thepad device 116A and the laptop computer device 116C can communicate,indirectly, via the media server 130, where each device is operating viaindependent access to the IP Network. In one or more embodiments, thedata path for the streaming media content can exhibit similar levels offlexibility. For example, the application can be configured such thatthe selected media content item is streamed to the pad device 116A andthen forwarded to the laptop computer device 116C, either as a stream oras a data file, for presentation of a the laptop computer device 116C.The media content data can be transmitted from the pad device 116A tothe laptop computer device 116C via the short range link or via a LAN.In another example, when the pad device 116A selects the laptop computerdevice 116C for presentation of the media content, then the media serve130 begins communicating directly with the laptop computer device 116Cfor control of the application and for streaming the selected mediacontent directly to the laptop computer device 116C via the IP Network165. In one or more embodiments, each selection of and/or transfer ofpresentation of media content and/or playlists between user devices can,similarly, utilize any of the available communication links in thesystem 100. For example, the user could receive a playlist at thetelevision device 108 but select to have a media content item presentedat the user's mobile communication device 116B. Depending on the presentlocation of the mobile communication device 116B, it can be advantageousto perform transfers and/or streaming of content via the IMS network 155and local wireless base station 117, a first local LAN supported by thetelevision gateway 104A to the private IPTV Network 150, a second localLAN supported by the IP gateway 104B to the public IP Network 165, ashort range link to the media processor device (STB) 106, or somecombination of these pathways. The system 100 provides flexibility forthe application at the each device and the media server 130 to selectthe communication paths based on many factors, including reliability,availability, bandwidth, and so forth.

In one or more embodiments, when a first device transfers thepresentation of media content to a second device, then the first devicecan enter a companion mode. Returning to the prior example, when the paddevice 116A transfers the presentation of the playlist to the laptopcomputer device 116C, the pad device 116A can then enter a companionmode. In companion mode, the pad device 116A can present supplementarycontent that is correlated to the playlist that is being presented atthe laptop computer device 116C. For example, if the application at thelaptop computer device 116C is presenting an episode of a televisionseries that was selected from the playlist, then the application at paddevice 116A can present a companion mode window that provides contentthat supplements the viewing experience for this content. The companioncontent can include, for example, an Internet database listing for theseries, a link to a Wikipedia™ entry for the series star, a short videoabout a new series on the same network, or a current article ondiscussing a real-world person, who performs the same job as the titlecharacter. In one or more embodiments, the companion mode can includeits own set of controls for remotely controlling the presentation of themedia content at the second device (e.g., play, pause, etc.). Thecompanion mode can include the playlist (or an abbreviated version ofthe playlist). Both devices can include controls for swapping thepresentation between the second device and the first device.

FIGS. 2-7 depict an illustrative embodiments of subsystems forperforming flexible consumption of media content via the system 100described in FIG. 1. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, a subsystem 200of the system 100 of FIG. 1 shows a pad device 116A and a media device(or television) 108. In one example, a playlist 205 can be loaded intothe application running at the pad device 116A. A user of the pad device116A can allow the application to auto play the first item of mediacontent from playlist. In this case the item is a trailer video for anew season of a popular premium cable television series. As the trailerplays, the user can decide that she really wants to see this on hertelevision device 210. So, the user casts the trailer video to the mediaprocessor 106 for the television device 108, which causes the video tonow appear on the television 108, picking up from where it left of atthe pad device 116A. At the same time, the application at the pad device116A switches to the companion mode. The companion mode includes anInternet website with entries for the e-novels that form the basis ofthe popular television series, an advertisement for an electronicreading device for reading the e-novels, and a social media feedprofiling the actors in the series.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a subsystem 300 of the system 100 of FIG. 1shows a mobile communication device 116B. In one example, theapplication is running at the mobile communication device 116B. In thiscase, the user of the mobile communication device 116B has previouslyselected a particular television show via his STB 106, which is alsorunning the application. As a result, the application at the mobilecommunication device 116B enters the companion mode 305. During thetelevision show, an expert chef begins to describe a recipe usingcertain cut of meat. The user notices that the companion mode on themobile communication device has added an online video clip of for adifferent recipe using the same cut of meat. The user can tap on theonline video clip at the mobile communication device 116B, and thiscauses the television to immediately switch from the television show tothe online clip. After watching the first ten seconds, the user decidesto try to cook the recipe in the online clip and goes to the kitchen.The user taps the mobile communication device 116B, and the online clip310 can now be shown at the mobile communication device 116B, along witha widget listing the ingredients and a banner ad for a local market.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a subsystem 400 of the system 100 of FIG. 1shows a media device (television) 108 that is connected to a mediaprocessor device (STB) 106. In one example, a user turns on thetelevision 108, which presents an electronic programming guide (EPG)405. One of the available selections at the EPG 405 is a personalizedtelevision channel that is generated by the application running at theSTB 106. The user can select the personal television channel and thiscan generate an entry 410 for identifying the user. For example, thetelevision device 108 can be operating at a house with several differentusers, including young children. By identifying the current user, theapplication can select the proper playlist that corresponds to thisuser, while keeping potentially inappropriate content, which might beincluded this playlist, from the eyes of young viewers. The applicationcan request identifying information, such as a passcode from the user,who interfaces with the application using, for example, a remote controldevice 107. Once the user has been properly identified, the applicationcan display the user's current playlist 415. The user can select an itemfrom the playlist or let the application auto play. The applicationtransitions to the presentation display 420 which include playbackcontrols as well as a menu for casting the content to other devices.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a subsystem 500 of the system 100 of FIG. 1shows a pad device 116A that is executing the application. Theapplication can initiate a screen 505 that requests the identity of theuser and then can transition to a code entry/verification screen 510.Once the user is verified, the playlist 510 can appear. If a selectionis made and initiated, the application can switch to the presentationscreen 520.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a subsystem 600 of the system 100 of FIG. 1shows a mobile communication device 116B. In this case, the user canenter a social media application. At the social media site has suggestin a posting 605 that the user check out a media content item. The usercan open the item 610. A quick link at the item can be selected by theuser, where the link will trigger the application 615. The applicationcan then automatically add the media content item to the playlist andbeing presentation 620.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a subsystem 700 of the system 100 of FIG. 1shows a mobile communication device 116B and a media device (television)108. In this example, the user moves can traverse the process ofidentification 710, selecting the personal television channel 715,selecting a media content item from the playlist 720, and presentingthis item 725 at that television 108. However, the user can decide tocast the media content item to the mobile communication device 116B,where it is presented from where it left off at the television 108.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system described in FIG. 1 and the subsystems of FIGS. 2-7. Inone or more embodiments, the method provides for flexible presentationof media content at multiple user devices. In step 804, a media servercan generate a playlist of media content based on preferences and priormedia consumption of a user of a first device. The preference andconsumption information can be gathered from prior usage of a mediastreaming application at the first device and/or at other devicesbelonging to the user. The preference and consumption information canfurther be gathered from subscription-based content, social mediainteractions, and Internet access of the user at the first device andother devices. In one or more embodiments, a portion of the preferenceinformation can be supplied by the user or subscriber as overtpersonalization preferences. For example, a user can be ask to fill outan on-line questionnaire, which allows the user to select between anumber of options regarding content likes/dislikes, preferred orderingof content, priorities among content types (e.g., subscription contentover free content or newly released content over content that has beenout for some time). In one or more embodiments, a portion of thepreference information can be collected by parsing social mediapreferences as well as content that is generated, received, and/orviewed by the user. For example, the user may have declared contentpreferences in a Facebook™ profile, indicated a “like” of content in apost, or “re-tweeted” a posting on a Twitter™ account, where theseactions can be indicators of media content preferences. In one or moreembodiments, preference information for a user can be collected fromthird party sources that collect and sort Internet-based activities. Anyinteraction of the user with a network with any device can be subject todata collection, tracking, and cataloging, presuming that the user hasgiven overt or implied consent within the context of the activity. Theseinteractions can add to the overall understanding of a user'spreferences, in some cases providing early insights into new interestsfor the user that can be captured and included in the playlist. Theplaylist is transmitted from the media server to the first device instep 808. The transmission of the playlist can occur after initiation ofthe application at the first device and/or after authentication of theidentity of the user of the first device. The playlist can be update atperiodic intervals to reflect media content that has been consumed bythe user, content that the user has ignored or rejected, new contentthat has become available since the last playlist was generated, and/orthe addition of content to the playlist by user interactions with otherapplications.

In step 812, the media server can receive a selection of first mediacontent from the first device. The first media content may have beenactively selected by the user by, for example, selecting a control on auser interface that depicts the playlist. The first media content mayhave been auto selected by the application, if the application is set tooperate in auto play mode. In step 816, the media server can receive asecond selection from the first device. The second selection canindicate which device will be used for viewing the first media contentitem. The second selection can be omitted or can default to the firstdevice in auto play mode or if the user does not select any device forviewing. The user can select the viewing device from a menu of choicesthat reflect devices, associated with the user, that are capable ofpresenting the content.

In step 820, the media server can transmit the first media content tothe viewing device for presentation. The media content can betransmitted by any of several communication paths that are available inthe system. One of those paths can involve using the first media deviceas an intermediary recipient. In step 824, the media server can generatea companion page of supplementary content for the first media content.The supplementary content can include additional media content, website,database, and other URL links to content that is related to the firstmedia content. The supplemental content can be continuously update asthe user interacts with the companion page. In step 824, the mediaserver can transmit the companion page to the first device. Thecompanion page can include elements for remotely controlling thepresentation of the first media content at the viewing device and forswapping the presentation between the first device and the viewingdevice.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 8, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 900 for delivering media content. The communication system 900can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 900 can be overlaid or operably coupled with thesystem 100 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2-7 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 900. For instance, one or more devices, such ascomputing device 930, illustrated in the communication system 900 ofFIG. 9, can be used for presenting a playlist of media content generatedby a predictive model of preferences of a user of a system based onfirst prior media consumption associated with a subscription televisionservice and second prior media consumption associated with aninternet-based service, receiving a first selection of first mediacontent from the playlist, presenting a menu of viewing devices forviewing the first media content, receiving a second selection of a firstcompanion device for the first media content from the menu of viewingdevices, transmitting the first selection and the second selection to acontent provider, receiving the first media content from the contentprovider, and presenting the first media content. The content providercan transmit, to the first companion device, supplementary content,including internet-based content associated with the first mediacontent, for presentation at a display.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 910 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 911 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 911 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 914 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 912 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 914 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 918 to commercial and/or residential buildings 902 housing agateway 909 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 918 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 919 to buildings 902. The gateway 904 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 906 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 908 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 907 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 904, the media processors 906, and media devices 908 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 906 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 929 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 9. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 900. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 915 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 931 coupled to thebuilding 902. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver931 can be transferred to the media processors 906 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 908. The media processors 906 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 932 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 933 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system900. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 933 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 900 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 930, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 932 towireline media devices 908 or wireless communication devices 916.

Communication system 900 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 930 to function as a media server 930. The mediaserver 930 can use computing and communication technology to performfunction 962, which can include among other things, provide for flexiblepresentation of media content at multiple devices as described by method800 of FIG. 8. For instance, function 962 of server 930 can be similarto the functions described for servers 130 of FIG. 1 in accordance withmethod 800. The media processors 906 and wireless communication devices916 can be provisioned with software functions 964 and 966,respectively, to utilize the services of media server 930. For instance,functions 964 and 966 of media processors 906 and wireless communicationdevices 916 can be similar to the functions described for thecommunication devices 116A-C of FIG. X in accordance with method 100.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 917 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system1000 employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 1000 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith system 100 of FIG. 1 and communication system 900 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 900. Communicationsystem 1000 can be used for presenting a playlist of media contentgenerated by a predictive model of preferences of a user of a systembased on first prior media consumption associated with a subscriptiontelevision service and second prior media consumption associated with aninternet-based service, receiving a first selection of first mediacontent from the playlist, presenting a menu of viewing devices forviewing the first media content, receiving a second selection of a firstcompanion device for the first media content from the menu of viewingdevices, transmitting the first selection and the second selection to acontent provider, receiving the first media content from the contentprovider, and presenting the first media content. The content providercan transmit, to the first companion device, supplementary content,including internet-based content associated with the first mediacontent, for presentation at a display.

Communication system 1000 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)1040, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 1030, and other networkelements of an IMS network 1050. The IMS network 1050 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 1001,1002, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 1003, 1005, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)1020 coupled to a PSTN network 1060. The MGCF 1020 need not be used whena communication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 1020.

IMS CDs 1001, 1002 can register with the IMS network 1050 by contactinga Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates withan interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with aServing CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 1040. To initiatea communication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 1001 cansubmit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to anoriginating P-CSCF 1004 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 1006. The originating S-CSCF 1006 can submit the SIPINVITE message to one or more application servers (ASs) 1017 that canprovide a variety of services to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 1017 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 1006 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 1006 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 1030 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 1007 to submit a query to the HSS 1040 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 1014 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 1002. Once identified, the I-CSCF 1007 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 1014. The terminatingS-CSCF 1014 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 1016 associated withthe terminating CD 1002. The P-CSCF 1016 may then signal the CD 1002 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 10 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 1000 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 1000 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 1001,1002 with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system900 of FIG. 9.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD1003 or CD 1005 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 1030 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 1006 to forward the call to the MGCF 1020 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 1019. The MGCF 1020 can then initiate the callto the terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 1060 to enable thecalling and called parties to engage in voice and/or datacommunications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 10 can operate aswireline or wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 10 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 1021, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 1050 of FIG. 10. The cellular accessbase station 1021 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 10.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 1021 may communicate directly with the IMS network 1050 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 1021 and the P-CSCF1016.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The media server 930 of FIG. 9 can be operably coupled to communicationsystem 1000 for purposes similar to those described above. Media server930 can perform function 962 and thereby provide flexible presentationof media content services to the CDs 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1005 of FIG.10 similar to the functions described for server 100 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with method 800 of FIG. 8. CDs 1001, 1002, 1003 and 1005,which can be adapted with software to perform function 1072 to utilizethe services of the media server 930 similar to the functions describedfor communication devices 116A-C of FIG. 1 in accordance with method 800of FIG. 8. Media server 930 can be an integral part of the applicationserver(s) 1017 performing function 1074, which can be substantiallysimilar to function 964 and adapted to the operations of the IMS network1050.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 11 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 1102 of acommunication system 1100. Communication system 1100 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with system 100 of FIG. 1, communication system 400,and/or communication system 1000 as another representative embodiment ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1, communication system 900, and/or communicationsystem 1000. The web portal 1102 can be used for managing services ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1 and communication systems 900-1000. A web page ofthe web portal 1102 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)with an Internet browser using an Internet-capable communication devicesuch as those described in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 9-10. The web portal 1102can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 906 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Videoon Demand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or apersonal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audio recordings,etc.) stored at the media processor 406. The web portal 1102 can also beused for provisioning IMS services described earlier, provisioningInternet services, provisioning cellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 1102 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 962-966, and 1072-1074 to adapt these applicationsas may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of system 100of FIG. 1, and communication systems 900-1000. For instance, users ofthe services provided by server 130 or server 930 can log into theiron-line accounts and provision the servers 110 or server 930 to programa user profiles or to provide contact information to server to enable itto communication with devices described in FIGS. 1 and 9-10. Serviceproviders can log onto an administrator account to provision, monitorand/or maintain the systems 100 of FIG. 1 or server 130.

FIG. 12 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device1200. Communication device 1200 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIG. 1, and FIGS.9-10 and can be configured to perform portions of method 800 of FIG. 8.

Communication device 1200 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 1202 (herein transceiver 1202), a user interface (UI) 1204,a power supply 1214, a location receiver 1216, a motion sensor 1218, anorientation sensor 1220, and a controller 1206 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 1202 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 1202 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 1204 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 1208with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse,or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communicationdevice 1200. The keypad 1208 can be an integral part of a housingassembly of the communication device 1200 or an independent deviceoperably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USBcable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. Thekeypad 1208 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones,and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 1204 can furtherinclude a display 1210 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable displaytechnology for conveying images to an end user of the communicationdevice 1200. In an embodiment where the display 1210 is touch-sensitive,a portion or all of the keypad 1208 can be presented by way of thedisplay 1210 with navigation features.

The display 1210 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 1200 can be adapted to present a user interfacewith graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 1210 can beequipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technologyto detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 1210 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 1200 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 1204 can also include an audio system 1212 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 1212 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 1212 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI1204 can further include an image sensor 1213 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 1214 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 1200 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 1216 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 1200 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor1218 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 1200 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 1220 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device1200 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 1200 can use the transceiver 1202 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 1206 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 1200.

Other components not shown in FIG. 12 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 1200 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 1206 of the communication device 1200.In yet another embodiment, the communication device 1200 can alsoinclude a factory default setting button positioned, for example, belowa small hole in a housing assembly of the communication device 1200 toforce the communication device 1200 to re-establish factory settings. Inthis embodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen orpaper clip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default settingbutton. The communication device 1200 can also include a slot for addingor removing an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 1200 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 12. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 1200 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media server 130, the wireless devices 116A-C, and the media devices108, of FIG. 1, the media processor 906, the media devices 908, or theportable communication devices 916 of FIG. 9, as well as the IMS CDs1001-1002 and PSTN CDs 1003-1005 of FIG. 10. It will be appreciated thatthe communication device 1200 can also represent other devices that canoperate in systems of FIG. 1, communication systems 900-1000 of FIGS.9-10 such as a gaming console and a media player. In addition, thecontroller 1206 can be adapted in various embodiments to perform thefunctions 962-966 and 1072-1074, respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, while media content is playing at afirst device and the companion mode is presented at a second device, auser can enter a search mode at the second device. Search terms can beentered and the companion mode can find new supplemental content asdirected by the user. In one embodiment, the media server can generate aseries of suggested search terms for seeding the user's search.

In one or more embodiments, the companion application can be presentedat the media device (television) 108, while the selected media contentfrom the play list is presented at another device. Other embodiments canbe used in the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 13 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 1300 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the media server 930, the media processor 906,the wireless communication devices 916, and other devices of FIG. 9. Insome embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network1326) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in aserver-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 1300 may include a processor (or controller) 1302(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 1304 and a static memory 1306, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 1308. The computer system 1300 mayfurther include a display unit 1310 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 1300may include an input device 1312 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 1314 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1316, a signal generationdevice 1318 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 1320. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units1310 controlled by two or more computer systems 1300. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 1310, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 1310.

The disk drive unit 1316 may include a tangible computer-readablestorage medium 1322 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions(e.g., software 1324) embodying any one or more of the methods orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The instructions 1324 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 1304, the static memory 1306, and/or within theprocessor 1302 during execution thereof by the computer system 1300. Themain memory 1304 and the processor 1302 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectlyby way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computingdevice.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 1322 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 1300.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a memory to storeexecutable instructions; and a processing system including a processorcommunicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the processor, responsiveto executing the executable instructions, performs operations, theoperations comprising: selecting a first communication path to provide afirst media content to a first viewing device according to a firstcommunication factor, wherein the first media content has associatedtherewith supplementary media content, wherein the supplementary mediacontent supplements a viewing experience for the first media content,wherein the supplementary media content is obtained in response toreceiving a first selection of the first media content from a playlistof media content, wherein the selecting the first communication path isin response to receiving a second selection of the first viewing devicefrom a menu of a group of available viewing devices, and wherein thefirst communication factor includes a first available bandwidth of thefirst communication path; selecting a second communication path among asecond plurality of communication paths to provide the supplementarymedia content to the first viewing device in response to receiving thesecond selection of the first viewing device, wherein the secondcommunication path is selected according to a second communicationfactor, wherein the second communication factor includes a secondavailable bandwidth of the second communication path, a secondavailability of the second communication path, and a subscription statusof an account for a user, wherein the subscription status isdeterminative of subscription rights for presentation of media contenton particular devices, wherein the first communication factor isdifferent from the second communication factor, and wherein the secondcommunication path is different from the first communication path; andforwarding the supplementary media content to the first viewing devicevia the second communication path.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein theplaylist of media content comprises media content from a first serviceproviding subscription-based media content and from a second serviceproviding non-subscription-based media content.
 3. The device of claim1, wherein the operations further comprise: determining an availabilityof a plurality of viewing devices for receiving the first media contentresulting in the group of available viewing devices; and presenting themenu of the group of available viewing devices in response to receivingthe first selection of the first media content.
 4. The device of claim1, wherein the operations further comprise streaming the first mediacontent to the first viewing device over the first communication pathfor presentation on the first viewing device.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise swapping presentation of thefirst media content on the first viewing device with the supplementarymedia content.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first viewingdevice comprises a mobile communication device.
 7. The device of claim1, wherein the playlist of media content is generated based onpreferences of the user of the device, a first prior media consumptionthat is associated with a subscription television service, and a secondprior media consumption that is associated with an internet-basedservice.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the playlist of media contentexcludes content not compatible with a plurality of viewing devices forviewing media content.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstcommunication factor includes a first availability of the firstcommunication path among a first plurality of communication paths andthe subscription status of the account for the user.
 10. Anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processing system including aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, the operationscomprising: determining an availability of a plurality of viewingdevices for receiving a first media content, wherein the determiningresults in a group of available viewing devices, wherein the first mediacontent has associated therewith supplementary media content, andwherein the supplementary media content supplements a viewing experiencefor the first media content; presenting a menu of the group of availableviewing devices in response to receiving a first selection of the firstmedia content from a playlist of media content; selecting a firstcommunication path to provide the first media content to a first viewingdevice according to a first communication factor in response toreceiving a second selection of the first viewing device from the menuof the group of available viewing devices, wherein the firstcommunication factor includes a first available bandwidth of the firstcommunication path; selecting a second communication path among a secondplurality of communication paths to provide the supplementary mediacontent to the first viewing device in response to receiving the secondselection of the first viewing device, wherein the second communicationpath is selected according to a second communication factor, wherein thesecond communication factor includes a second available bandwidth of thesecond communication path, a second availability of the secondcommunication path, and a subscription status of an account for a userof the first viewing device, wherein the subscription status isdeterminative of subscription rights for presentation of media contenton particular devices, wherein the first communication factor isdifferent from the second communication factor, and wherein the secondcommunication path is different from the first communication path; andforwarding the supplementary media content to the first viewing devicevia the second communication path.
 11. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the playlist ofmedia content comprises media content from a first service providingsubscription-based media content and from a second service providingnon-subscription-based media content.
 12. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the operationsfurther comprise streaming the first media content to the first viewingdevice over the first communication path for presentation on the firstviewing device.
 13. The non-transitory machine-readable storage mediumof claim 10, wherein the playlist of media content is generated based onpreferences of the user, a first prior media consumption that isassociated with a subscription television service, and a second priormedia consumption that is associated with an internet-based service. 14.The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 10, whereinthe operations further comprise swapping presentation of the first mediacontent on the first viewing device with the supplementary mediacontent.
 15. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim10, wherein the first viewing device comprises a mobile communicationdevice.
 16. A method, comprising: selecting, by a processing systemincluding a processor, a first communication path to provide a firstmedia content to a first viewing device according to a firstcommunication factor in response to receiving, by the processing system,a first selection of the first viewing device from a menu of a group ofavailable viewing devices, wherein the first communication factorincludes a first available bandwidth of the first communication path,wherein the first media content has associated therewith supplementarymedia content, and wherein the supplementary media content supplements aviewing experience for the first media content; selecting, by theprocessing system, a second communication path among a second pluralityof communication paths to provide the supplementary media content to thefirst viewing device in response to receiving, by the processing system,the first selection of the first viewing device, wherein the secondcommunication path is selected according to a second communicationfactor, wherein the second communication factor includes a secondavailable bandwidth of the second communication path, a secondavailability of the second communication path, and a subscription statusof an account for a user, wherein the subscription status isdeterminative of subscription rights for presentation of media contenton particular devices, wherein the first communication factor isdifferent from the second communication factor, and wherein the secondcommunication path is different from the first communication path;streaming the first media content to the first viewing device over thefirst communication path for presentation on the first viewing device;and providing the supplementary media content to the first viewingdevice over the second communication path.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein a playlist of media content comprises media content from a firstservice providing subscription-based media content and from a secondservice providing non-subscription-based media content.
 18. The methodof claim 16, wherein the first communication factor includes a firstavailability of the first communication path among a first plurality ofcommunication paths and the subscription status of the account for theuser.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising swappingpresentation of the first media content on the first viewing device withthe supplementary media content.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein thefirst viewing device comprises a mobile communication device.